Chisinau - November 17, 2023.  

The International Organization for Migration in Moldova, in coordination with the Moldovan authorities, successfully supported the evacuation process of 53 Moldovan citizens,18 adults and 35 children, from the Gaza Strip.

Moldovan citizens were evacuated in three different operations and arrived safely in Chisinau via the Rafah crossing point, Cairo and Bucharest. The evacuation's coordination was managed by the Moldovan authorities through the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and European Integration of the Republic of Moldova, in collaboration with the General Inspectorate for Migration, Ministry of Labor and Social Protection, and IOM Moldova.

Once arrived in Chisinau, they were welcomed by IOM Moldova teams, led by the Chief of Mission, Lars Johan Lönnback, and representatives of the national authorities. They were accommodated in a hotel in the capital where they were provided the necessary assistance, including: 

• transportation from the airport to the accommodation (hotel);
• emergency/primary health care and information on how to access medical services in Moldova; 
• individual psychological counseling sessions;
• blankets, bedding sets and hygiene kits;
• SIM cards, to contact and be in touch with their relatives;  
• ground transportation for families to their final destination across the republic and in Europe. 

Afterwards, Moldovan citizens evacuated from the Gaza Strip will go to their parents or relatives across the Republic of Moldova or will be further assisted into finding shelter. 

IOM's support to the Moldovan government was thanked by the Deputy Prime Minister, Nicu Popescu during a press conference held on November 15, 2023.

Moldovan Head of Diplomacy Nicu Popescu sent the following message on the occasion of the conclusion of the evacuation mission of Moldovan citizens from the Gaza Strip

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For more information, please contact: 

Riccardo Severi, Communications and Public Information Officer, IOM Moldova rseveri@iom.int